DEPUTY MEDICAL EXAMINER
Washington County, located in West Bend, Wisconsin currently has a great opportunity for an On-Call Limited Hours Deputy Medical Examiner within the Washington County Medical Examiner’s Office. The Washington County Medical Examiner’s Office provides high quality Medicolegal death investigation services within Washington County. Under the general direction of the Chief Deputy Medical Examiner the Deputy Medical Examiner will handle death investigations that fall under our jurisdiction and any other duties per WI State Statutes Chapters 19, 69, 979, 30.67(6), 48.981, 59.34 and others as applicable.
This is an on-call position with no guaranteed hours. Applicants can expect most of the on-call time to be scheduled on evenings, overnight, weekends and holidays. The ideal candidate will be available at least 1 weekend per month, 1 holiday per year and 1 weeknight per week. Flexibility is required and times/hours will fluctuate based on business needs.
Washington County is recognized for our commitment to providing quality services to the citizens of our community. Our team members embrace the challenge of meeting goals and expectations. Every day we work to creatively problem solve, innovate, and collaborate as a team to meet customer needs and deliver solutions.
Our Mission: We create an environment for residents and businesses to enjoy our authentic quality of life through a well governed and administered county dedicated to safe and secure communities; economic growth and vitality; effective mobility and reliable infrastructure; and access to basic needs.
Our Vision: Washington County strives to cultivate its rich heritage, vibrant economy and attractive communities through the distinct values that define us.
Our Values: Respect, Optimism, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion, and Collaboration.
Limited On Call: Limited hours. Starting hourly rate is $29.30
Duties/Responsibilities: The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Death Investigations (80%)
o Scene or Telephone Investigations
o Pronouncement of date/time of death
o Determining cause/manner of death
o Photographing the scene and decedent
o Examination of the body on scene
o Securing/preserving evidence
o Decision on disposition of case (autopsy, release, external examination)
o Transport of decedent to the Washington County Morgue or Waukesha County for autopsy
o Obtains pertinent history from the decedent’s family regarding medical and social history.
o Ensures positive identification of the decedent is made
- Investigative Follow Up (15%)
o Orders medical records, police records and EMS reports when appropriate
o Confers with primary physicians and/or forensic pathologist regarding cases.
o Makes referrals for tissue donation.
o Frequent contact with family members for information or follow up.
o Arrange for the release of a body either from our morgue or the scene to a funeral home.
o Prepares a thorough investigative report with all findings of the death investigation and follow-up conversations.
o Cremation views
o Testifies in civil and criminal court cases when necessary.
Work Direction Received: Works under the general direction of the Chief Deputy Medical Examiner.
Decision Making: Decisions concerning carrying out the statutory duties of the Medical Examiner’s Office as they relate to case investigation are made independently and in accordance with the Wisconsin State Statues.
Interaction: There is significant interaction with law enforcement, EMS personnel, funeral directors, other Medical Examiners/Coroners, forensic pathologists, and grieving families.
Essential Knowledge and Abilities:
- Must be able to commit to monthly on-call hours; generally evening, weekend and holiday hours.
- Valid Wisconsin driver's license
- Knowledge of the Wisconsin State Statutes as they apply to the investigation of deaths.
- Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy and physiology
- Knowledge of laws and statutes related to the Healthcare Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and medical record confidentiality.
- Working knowledge of occupational safety requirements and procedures, especially regarding hazardous materials and blood borne pathogens.
- Ability to secure facts through objective, independent, and thorough investigations; identify and interpret evidence; analyze data; and make appropriate determinations.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working and public relationships; and to communicate effectively and deal compassionately with grieving family members.
- Ability to prepare, present, and maintain accurate, objective, and thorough reports and records.
- Ability to move and transfer human bodies of various weights and ensure preservation of any trace evidence.
- Ability to maintain logs and supplies in an orderly fashion.
- Ability to deal with issues of death and dying, often in unpleasant circumstances.
Physical Requirements:
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling and reaching with hands and arms. Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision.
Work Environment:
- Work requires operating motor vehicles. This may involve driving in inclement weather conditions.
- Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
- Work may require working in dangerous situations.
- Work requires specialized personal protective equipment.
- Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
- May be subject to exposure to blood/body fluids, infection, and communicable diseases in various environments.
Licenses or Certifications: Must obtain ABMDI certification within three to five years of service, if applicant does not already meet ABMDI application requirements at time of hire, and maintain certification through duration of employment
Training and Experience:
- Associates degree from a recognized college in nursing, medical terminology, chemistry, biology, pre-med, Paramedic, EMT, criminal justice, police science, or closely related field.
- Previous experience working in the previously mentioned fields is ideal.
- Candidate must possess a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License and be able to respond to calls within Washington County within a 1-hour timeframe.
- Must successfully pass a criminal background check and pre-employment drug test.
Washington County is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individual with Disabilities
